Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Other Names: Dalmatian sage, garden sage, red sage, sawage, true sage

Habitat: Dry slopes, grasslands

Description: Evergreen aromatic perennial shrub. Taproot . Stems: woody at base Maximum 75cm/2.5 ft. Low growing. Grey/green oblong leaves and hairy. Leaves: opposite, stalked, fine tooth margin 3-5cm, 1-2.5cm wide oblong, lanceolate, rounded at base and at the apex, crenulated at the margin Flowers: Purple whorls of 4-8. May-July Woody at base

Native to: Mediterranean

Cultivated in: Europe

Parts Used: Leaves

Cultivation: Almost anywhere. Seeds grown under glass prefers full sun light soil

Harvesting: Leaves: Just before or just after flowering starts May-July

Preserving: Dry slowly in shade not above 35C

Combines with: Bergamot, lemon, lavender, rosemary

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypertensive, insecticidal, laxative, spasmolytic, stomachic, tonic

Extraction: Steam distillation of dried leaves

Constituents: Volatile oil: linalool, salvene and pinene; caryophyllene

Volatile oil: alpha and beta thujone (30-50%), cineole (5%), borneol, camphor, 2-methyl-3-methylene-5-heptane

Circulatory muscle joint: Rheumatism

Respiratory: Coughs, colds, sore throats

Digestive: Diarrhoea, indigestion

Immune: Fevers, canker sores

Nervous System: Migraine, memory, headaches

Energetics: Smell cliff top, meditation, cleansing

Blue, scrying, throat, eyes, focused

Earthy, leopard, kundalini

Other Notes: The name Salvia comes from the Latin salvere “to be saved”

Called herba sacra by the Romans, which means sacred herb

It legend the health of the plant is said to indicate the health of the home’s financial status

Cautions: Do not use in large amounts

Do not use if epileptic

Use with care

Do not use oil if pregnant or on children

Sage – Painted

Sage – Spanish